Ask A Dog Trainer: What do I do if my dog growls at visitors?

Q: What do I do if my dog growls at visitors?

A: There are many reasons why a dog would growl, but most likely, it's because they're unsure of the situation or the person and they're vocalizing their discomfort and disapproval.

If you ultimately want a guard dog and your dog only ever growls at sketchy people, then I would highly recommend tuning yourself in to your dog's instinct and listening to them. But if your dog is skeptically growling at every visitor then that tells you one of two things. Either that dog is insecure or they believe it's their job to set the household rules.

Whether they're insecure or they believe it's their job to set the household rules, it would be to everyone's advantage if you 1) strongly disagree with this behavior, and 2) sent the dog out of the space. If your dog challenges you when you disagree with that behavior, consult a professional immediately.

You want your disagreement to inform them that you've got the situation under control and they can calm their own nerves.